The Triumph of Silenus c. 18th century

Curator: Here we have Giovanni Folo’s “The Triumph of Silenus,” currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a boisterous scene, quite dynamic, don’t you think? Editor: It's certainly… fleshy. There’s an overwhelming sense of materiality here; the blubbery Silenus, the textures of the satyrs, the plump grapes. It almost feels sculptural. Curator: Indeed. Folo captures Silenus, the tutor of Dionysus, in a state of blissful inebriation, surrounded by revelers. The grapes, of course, symbolize abundance and the transformative power of wine. Editor: Considering Folo's historical context, I wonder about the paper itself and the labor involved in its production. Each print would reflect those industrial processes. Curator: That's fascinating. To me, Silenus represents the collapse of order, the embrace of primal instincts that has resonated across eras. Editor: I see the physical labor and the transformation of raw materials into a consumable image. Curator: In different ways, we both seem to acknowledge the transformation that the artwork embodies. Editor: Ultimately, it’s all about process, isn’t it? From grapes to wine, from labor to print.